New Horizons - Fall 2005

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ew Horizons N University of Houston-Downtown

UHD Earns Kudos for Wi-Fi Connectivity

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he University of Houston-Downtown ranked 34th out of 50 schools cited in Intel’s Second Annual Most Unwired College Campus survey. The study assessed wireless Internet accessibility on campuses of colleges and universities with enrollments of 1,000 or more. It rated each school on the percentage of its campus covered by wireless technology, the number of undergraduate students enrolled and the school’s computer-to-student ratio.

UHD Information Technology (IT) began introducing wireless services to the university four years ago.

Today, coverage is available anywhere on campus, around the clock. Computer users can connect to the Internet, access library databases, send and receive e-mails, access WebCT online courses and more. All they need is a laptop, Tablet PC or handheld device with wireless capability, any standard Internet-ready web browser and a user account, which is available to faculty, staff and students. UHD alumni may request an account as well, and guest accounts are provided as a courtesy for official visitors.

Wireless technology “allows us to stay connected with the students, faculty and staff while providing them with the flexibility they need,” Hossein Shahrokhi, IT executive director, explains. IT is committed to continue improving the quality of our wireless service and to make it faster and more reliable, he adds.

Save the Date!

UHD Joins Baylor College of Medicine in Statewide Gerontology Program UHD Departments of Social Sciences and Natural Sciences are joining a nine-university consortium related to geriatric education in the state of Texas.

Coordinated by Dr. Robert Roush at Baylor College of Medicine’s (COM) Huffington Center on Aging, the initiative is part of a federally funded grant from the

Department of Health and Human Services Administration, recently renewed for 5 years.

Dr. Greg Getz, associate professor of sociology and assistant chair of the Department of Social Science, co-directs the initiative, joined with Dr. Akif Uzman, chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.

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UHD student Leticia Lopez can access the Internet from anywhere on the university campus without being tethered to a hard line.

Computer users can also access library databases, e-mail, WebCT online courses and more. All they need is a laptop, Tablet PC or handheld device with wireless capability, any standard Internet-ready web browser and a user account, which is available to faculty, staff and students.

Red Rose Ball

Friday, April 28 Four Seasons Hotel 1300 Lamar Call 713-221-8563 for information

There’s more good news inside!

• President’s Journal ......................................... p. 2 • UHD TV ........................................................ p. 3 • Urban Education Alternative Certification ........ p. 4 • O’Kane Theatre ............................................. p. 7

President’s Journal

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he life of a university president is non-stop between building relationships, maintaining a first-class university and voicing opportunity in higher education. Dr. Max Castillo, UHD president, divides his time between duty and passion, though sometimes the line

cational environment for all of our universities is undergoing significant changes, including coping with limited resources, shifting teaching and learning paradigms, and information technologies that reshape the ways we deliver education and the ways people live and work.” He stated how “our world has changed. It’s

Plan with the Government of Spain in Washington, D.C. where he helped represent the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). The plan promotes educational experiences in Spain for U.S. Hispanic students and faculty through the sharing of cultural and educational experiences.

As chairman of HACU’s International Education Commission, he underlined some of the benefits that result from visiting faculty and students as institutions experience the internationalization of higher education.

Ambassador of Spain in the U.S., His Excellency Carlos Westendorp; the Minister of Education and Science, Her Excellency María Jesús San Segundo Gómez de Cadiñanos; Dr. José Jaime Rivera, President of the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Puerto Rico; and Dr. Max Castillo, UHD President and Chairman of HACU’s International Education Commission, met in Washington, D.C. to announce the Cooperation Plan with the Government of Spain to promote educational experiences in Spain for U.S. Hispanic students and faculty.

between them is indistinguishable. Following are examples of his presence at home and abroad.

At the European-American University Forum (EAUF) and 15th Annual International Conference of the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) in Bremen, Germany, Dr. Castillo presented the keynote address at the President’s Panel. He told European educators that “the edu-

flat. It’s without the traditional borders. And this means we have to adapt to meet the growing expectations of our students, potential students, and all of our stakeholders who depend on us to provide the highly educated, knowledgeable workers who will keep their economies competitive in a flat world.”

Closer to home, members of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce heard the president’s message about the status of Texas higher education and what the challenges will be in the future.

For Hispanics, “closing the gap” in higher education means finding ways to prepare individuals for the rigors of university life and the means to fund the growing cost. Dr. Castillo was joined by Dr. Abelardo Saavedra, superinten-dent of Houston Independent School District (HISD); and Dr. Bruce Leslie, chancellor of Houston Community College System.

In November, Dr. Castillo was recognized by the National Hispanic Professionals

Organization-Houston for his achievements in education. He was recognized at the annual gala alongside other leaders in public and community service, the news media and business. He also received a special honor from Anheuser-Busch. AnheuserBusch's Latino geographic marketing and community relations manager, Paco Bendaña, presented him with the Golden Eagle Award, for his commitment and dedication to education.

At the beginning of the academic year, the UHD president addresses the university community during Convocation. After congratulating the faculty and staff for accomplishments in 2004, he set forth the university priorities for the coming academic year. Briefly, they include: expanding student access, supporting academic excellence for faculty and staff, expanding physical facilities and technological support, and supporting the UH-System initiatives.

Community and business leaders will hear Dr. Castillo’s State of the University Address on January 31, 2006. The president’s theme will be “Today’s Challenges to higher education: An Impending Crisis for the Texas Economy.” For more information, please call the Office of University Advancement at 713-221-8563.

The president carried a similar message to the signing of a Cooperation

Technology for a new age

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uring hurricane season, Texas Gulf Coast emergency agencies depend on geographic information systems (GIS) to predict and warn people of possible disaster. In New Orleans, rescue agencies pinpointed homes with life-saving accuracy to locate and retrieve survivors after Hurricane Katrina.

Houstonians use GIS to get driving directions or track a package during the holidays.

Geographic information technology is a space age development we have come to depend on in our every day lives.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing

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objects and events. It combines the power of a database with the visualization capabilities offered by maps. GIS technology is used throughout the world to solve problems in such areas as environmental Volunteers demonstrate the latest technology to high school students during the Houston GIS Day activities. protection, health care, land use, business efficiency, University Consortium for education, social inequities.

GIS through sponsored activities Geographic Information Science, by the Houston-Galveston Area Public agencies, private businessthe U.S. Geological Survey, and Council’s Geographic Data es and enthusiasts celebrated the Library of Congress support Committee. The importance of “GIS Day” at UHD in November further interest in the technology training the next generation to as part of the week-long activities to better acquaint individuals with understand the technology is nationwide. Organizations like the uses and benefits of GIS. underlined by the increased the National Geographic demand for technically skilled Students from local high schools Society, the Association of workers in the field. were invited to learn more about American Geographers, the

Bragging Rights Drs. Hsiao-Ming Wang, Mark Kellar and Clete Snell (Criminal Justice) were invited to represent UHD at the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Celebration, sponsored by the Tawain Education and Cultural Office – Houston. Master of Security Management students, Ming-Li Hsieh and Yuang-Lien Lai, took part in the exchange and represented the Bayou Connection (BC), the Department of Criminal Justice’s exchange program.

All the UHD representatives met with Dr. George Yang, a BC Advisory Board member; Ball Lee, a BC donor; and James Marshand, the Federal Security Director at Bush International Airport.

Visitors to UHD.edu can view videotaped university programming from the Computing/Technology link on the home page.

Choices include scholarship programs, academic lectures and art performances.

Technology at UH-Downtown:

Tune in to UHD-TV

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he UH-Downtown website has its own television channel: UHD-TV. The new channel is accessible from the Computing/Technology link on the front of the UHD home page and includes both live broadcasts and previously recorded “on demand” audio-visual programs from the UHD-TV program library. The goal of UHD-TV is to provide information, entertainment, and training to the UHD community.

UH-Downtown’s TV channel will feature a varied program library that includes live or pre-recorded broadcasts covering such topics as the Red Rose Ball, special events, commencement ceremonies, award presentations, interviews with authors, and other university highlights.

Using RealNetworks server technology, an audio-visual program can be viewed “on demand,” that is, played whenever you want. You can stop, play, pause, fast forward or rewind the program at any time.

Live audio-visual programs may be viewed using RealNetwork’s streaming technology. The program is “streamed” to your PC and broadcast immediately when you click on the program you want to view. RealPlayer plays the audio-visual clip just as a television does. Play continues until all of the data has been transferred. No download occurs – you are viewing either a live video event or archived material in real time.

The latest audio-visual “on demand” and streaming technology checks the user’s computer workstation prior to play and adjust the transmission rate of information to accommodate band-

width restraints of the Internet connection. Both audio-visual “on demand” and live streaming technology allows you to watch a broadcast with the same high-quality resolution and accurate sound representation that you would get while watching television.

The new technology will benefit the UH-Downtown commuter campus and faculty and staff who miss important events. They will be able to access programming on UHD-TV to stay informed and advised of university news and activities.

Dr. Tony Chiaviello, English, traveled to Taiwan earlier this year to a prestigious international ecological conference at Tamkang University in Danshui, Taiwan. He also taught a class at National Kaohsieng Teachers' University.

The UHD Commerce Street Building received the Award of Merit (Higher Education category) in Texas Construction's "Best of 2005" competition.

Winning projects are listed in the December issue and will be recognized at an awards ceremony this month. The CSB was also recognized this year with the Associated Builders and Contractors 2005 Excellence in Construction Award, 1st Place, Institutional Projects $10-25 Million.

Dr. Kristin Anderson co-authored "Students' Ratings of Professors: The Teaching Style Contingency for Latina/o Professors" in the Journal of Latinos and Education (2005, Vol 4, Number 2) earlier this year. The article examined the influence of gender, ethnicity, and teaching style on students' perceptions of professors teaching a social science course.

Dr. Kate Pogue recently published “Shakespeare’s Friends,” a book of her research into William Shakespeare. Her study explores whom William Shakespeare considered among his friends and the influence the relationships had on his works.

Closing the Gap Ford Motor Company and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund partnered with UHD’s Houston PREP (Precollege Enrichment Program) to educate about 300 high school students and their parents at the first “Steps for Success” Saturday Workshop in November.

UHD’s precollege programs are concentrating efforts to “close the gap” between higher education and the Texas population. In 2000, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopted the initiative to boost enrollment of Texans in higher education from 1 million in 2000, to 1.5 million in 2015. By fall of 2004, that number had reached 1.2 million.

“Steps for Success” provided workshops to help high school students and their parents better prepare for college life, especially those with little experience in higher education.

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Alumni Society News New program offers certification, master’s in teaching

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tarting this spring, the Department of Urban Education at UHD will introduce a program which will enable aspiring educators to earn both their state-mandated teaching certification and a graduate degree in education.

The focus of the department is on preparing students to teach at-risk children and adolescents in innercity schools. The new program combines the department’s requirements for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), offered to certified educators, with its Alternative Certification Program (ACP) for college graduates who want to become teachers but have not earned their certification. It also conforms to the teacher quality requirements of the “No Child Left Behind” educational reform act.

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During the first two semesters, students in the MAT-ACP program will take graduate-level courses in curriculum, technology, reading, critical theory and research to obtain a probationary certificate and employment as a teacher. While continuing their coursework during the next two semesters, they will also work as teachers with support and supervision from university faculty and will take the state certification exam.

After becoming certified, they will continue in the graduate program to earn their MAT.

UHD Alum Catherine Clay returned to the Fall Career Expo to recruit graduates for Kelly Scientific Resources.

Alumna helps science professionals launch careers UHD’s Fall Career Expo brought back plenty of UHD alumni.

Among those who returned to UHD as recruiters was Catherine

ALUMNI NOTES —

Author and Hero Tommy Lovett (1995) recently published “Doors Wired Shut,” a book about his experiences as a disabled American veteran. Lovett writes about overcoming the challenges of being a paraplegic, rehabilitation, and graduating with a B.S. in Social Science. He has worked for Paralyzed Veterans of America, mostly as a candidate to become a National Service Officer.

Readers will be inspired by Lovett’s story and achieving his dream of owning a business.

Lights, Camera, ACTION! Mark Chavarria (1999) is a working stuntman in Hollywood. He has taken

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“ACP is a strong program, but we wanted to make it stronger,” Dr. Leigh Van Horn, director of the MAT program, explains.

“We’ve worked to develop a program that will create `superteachers.’”

hits for and with notables Mike Judge, Johnny Knoxville, and Billy Bob Thornton, in movies like The Alamo and Pearl Harbor. He also rubs shoulders with stars from the music business, such as Slim Thug, Frankie J., and U2. He is currently in production for the war thriller, Ghosts of Les Cheris.

Desert Oil Eshfaqur Khan (1997) designed the computer software system for a $40 million “super rig” that will enable Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) to explore for gas at deep levels. The HAH124 stands apart from other rigs because its drilling operations, controlled from an enclosed cockpit on the rig, are fully computerized and staffed by engineers using joysticks and touch-screen monitors.

Khan works for Canadian builder, National Oil Well in Kuwait, where he helps integrate the ultra-high technological applications with traditional oil drilling operations.

Business sense Phillip W. Yelder (1990) was appointed Affirmative Action/Civil Rights Administrator for Kansas City earlier this year. He worked here in Houston as the division manager for the Small/Minority, Woman and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Division of the Mayor’s Office since 2000.

Yelder has a bachelor’s degree in business finance from UH-Downtown. He is also a trained mediator for alternative dispute resolutions.

Clay, who graduated from UHD in December of 1999 with a B.S. in biological and physical sciences. Catherine represented Kelly Scientific Resources, a staffing agency which specializes in helping scientists and professionals in the field to launch their careers.

After graduating, Catherine started her own career as a clinical laboratory technician in Tupelo, Mississippi. Once she gained the critical experience in the clinical lab field, she decided to move into the chemical industry.

Catherine accepted a position with BASF Corporation in her hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi, as a polymer quality assurance technician and worked there for four years.

She returned to Houston a year ago to work with Kelly Scientific Services.

Catherine says she is looking forward to giving back to her “new and improved” alma mater, both as a recruiter and as an active alumna.

For information on Alumni Giving please call: 713-221-8045 or email: alumni@uhd.edu.

Generous Friends of Contributions to UH-Downtown are vital to fulfilling our mission of providing quality educational opportunities to all students and opening doors to many who might not otherwise be able to pursue a college degree. We greatly appreciate the generosity shown to UHD by the following corporations, foundations and individuals between July 26, 2005 and October 26, 2005.

Please note that numbers following a name signify the year of graduation from UHD. COMMUNITY SUPPORT 100 Club Scholarship Fund for Criminal Justice Program The 100 Club, Inc. ASIS/Herbert Wayne Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund American Society for Industrial Security-Houston Chapter ASIS Master’s Scholarship American Society for Industrial Security-Houston Chapter College of Business Excellence Fund Diane Kathleen Nemer, ‘03 Criminal Justice Department Scholarship Fund Beth Huffmaster McConnell Paulette, ‘01 & ‘05, and Gordon Purdy Robert T. Walsh Cultural Enrichment Center K and Steve Sucher English Language Institute Scholarship in Excellence Fund Asia Houston Network Michele J. Sabino Library Development Fund Omar D. López, ‘97 Muslim Student Association Scholarship Fund Middle East Shipping Company Professional Writing Campaign David Hartland, ‘01 Molly K. Johnson Texas Pioneer Foundation Scholarship Texas Pioneer Foundation D. Richard and Ann Trask Endowment Fund K and Steve Sucher UHD General Scholarship Fund Tammie Taylor, ‘94 RED ROSE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN MEMORY OF LARRY G. JONES Sharon L. Allen Braeburn Country Club Michael T. Campbell Central Houston, Inc. Louise H. and Sanford A. Cockrell, III

Patty and Bob Cruikshank Richard L. Davenport Deloitte & Touche LLP Jonathan F. Eisele Ray C. Fish Foundation Robert Hahne Jeffrey C. Jones Linda and Ken Lay Family Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP Garry Moody Albert Mulley Jerry W. Pinkerton PriceWaterHourse Coopers LLP James H. and Bonnie B. Quigley The Gary and Lee Rosenthal Foundation Mark Schneider Terry and Brenda Seitz, and Family William C. Stevens Lambeth and Nancy Townsend Jeffrey K. Willemain ALUMNI ANNUAL FUND College of Business Tippi Barela, ‘02 Cameron Kirtus Best, ‘94 Sara Boyd, ‘03 Gevenia J. Bradford, ‘88 Charles T. Brooks, ‘94 Deborah Lynne Bryan, ‘02 Glenda Fay Burkhalter, ‘03 Ralph Butler, ‘94 Gary Crawford, ‘00 Mark C. Eyring, ‘04 Hilda Olabode Fofanah, ‘93 Dana Ellen Foote, ‘87 H.A. Creative Tax Services Laurita S. Hall, ‘82 Richard E. Harrison, ‘01 Liliana Huerta, ‘95 Steven B. Jaques, ‘04 Stacia Gréaux Jones, ‘90 Sherwin Jose, ‘04 Terry and Christine, ‘85, Kenworthy Wheeler John M. Kresse, ‘93 Xuan Le, ‘89 Francisco Luis, ‘99 Joyce E. McCreadie, ‘02 Ross McMicken, ‘89, and Virginia Lozano, ‘91 Elijah William Murrell, ‘03 Eric B. Musungu, ‘03 Alexander O. Ogbonna, ‘90 Kristy Marie Ortiz, ‘96 Gloria L. Panganiban, ‘96 Jessica J. Price, ‘01 Daphne P. Quarles, ‘99 Vera Sherman, ‘01 John D. Shoemaker, ‘89 & ‘01 Sherina Smith, ‘99 Richard C. Sperandio, Jr., ‘03 Christine Stevens, ‘00 Robert Stewart, ‘87 Dorit Sebhat Tesfay, ‘90 Mayumi Tokuyama, ‘95 Susan D. Trevino, ‘90 & ‘98 Clarissa Waxton, ‘89 Demetria A. Williams, ‘85 Cheryl Williamson, ‘04 WZ Service Company Dwayne Edward Yount, ‘95 Edward G. Zizmont, ‘83

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Jubril Adelagun, ‘02 Anonymous Edith E. Bell, ‘96 Brandon M. Bond, ‘01 Valerie C. Bossert, ‘93 Sheila Clay-Moon, ‘79 Paul D. Cobb, ‘04 Charles P. Fairchild, ‘90 Gwendlyn Flahrity, ‘97 Citlalli G. Gamboa, ‘03 Mary Aprilla Gilbert, ‘01 Kathleen Lee Grabowski, ‘91 Veronica Loredo Holmes, ‘04 Sylvia Houston, ‘93, and Ron Riddel Patricia Lynne, ‘04 and Jack, ‘03 Iovine Sheryl Jefferson, ‘03 Charlotte Ann Kohrs, ‘80 Teresa Leblanc, ‘02 Jesse Mancha, ‘04 Donald W. Marshall, ‘84 Alicia Martinez, ‘04 Jerry Norman McEachern, Jr., ‘00 Charles Edward Neath, ‘88 Elaine G. Orozco, ‘04 Douglas R. Otto, ‘89 Brenda K. Pentecost, ‘87 Alvin W. Phillips, ‘00 Douglass J. Phillips, ‘95 & ‘03 Ursula Rice-Evans, ‘94 Olga L. Rodriguez, ‘03 Vanessa J. Roessler, ‘92 Jessica Scheller, ‘03 Julie Schorsch, ‘04 Brian Sloane, ‘03 Mark Landon Goodman, ‘93 Laura K. Speer, ‘04 Deno Stamos, ‘98 Stephen Sundquist, ‘03 Rose M. Terry, ‘99 Eva Gardner White, ‘00 Marta E. Zayas-Santiago, ‘94 College of Sciences and Technology Newman Charles Elwell, ‘97 Mahmud Farooque, ‘95 Theresa Lea Feldmann, ‘88 Mel Gonda Ilagan, ‘94 Shaun B. Kelehan, ‘96 Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin J. Leeah, ‘95 Syed Shadaab Moosavi, ‘04 Duong Pham, ‘98 Olga V. Vasquez, ‘04

Ann S. Jennings Molly K. Johnson Vinod K. Mathew, ‘98 Tyra Montgomery Irma Morales, ‘98 Debra Mullinnix Ken and Wanda Oberhoff Dora and George Pincus Deb and Todd Rhatigan-Moore Dr. Ruth Robbins Dennis M. Rodriguez The Cullen Trust for Higher Education Deloris McGee Wanguri Patricia L. Golemon and Peter D. Williamson MEMORIAL AND HONORARY GIFTS In Honor of Anges Po Chu Leung Michele J. Sabino In Memory of Jay Anderson Mary B. Cook In Memory of Lorraine B. Bland Ray C. Fish Foundation In Memory of Ima “Jean” Dewey Beth Huffmaster McConnell Paulette, ‘01 & ‘05, and Gordon Purdy Robert T. Walsh In Memory of Dorothy W. Ditto Ray C. Fish Foundation In Memory of Kristen Hartland David Hartland, ‘01 In Memory of Rowland Huffmaster Beth Huffmaster McConnell In Memory of John Stephen Jakovich Sr. Beth Huffmaster McConnell Paulette, ‘01 & ‘05, and Gordon Purdy Robert T. Walsh In Memory of Larry G. Jones Sharon L. Allen Braeburn Country Club

Central Houston, Inc. Louise H. and Sanford A. Cockrell, III Patty and Bob Cruikshank Richard L. Davenport Deloitte & Touche LLP Jonathan F. Eisele Ray C. Fish Foundation Robert Hahne Jeffrey C. Jones Linda and Ken Lay Family Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP Garry Moody Albert Mulley Jerry W. Pinkerton PriceWaterHourse Coopers LLP James H. and Bonnie B. Quigley Mark Schneider Terry and Brenda Seitz, and Family William C. Stevens Lambeth and Nancy Townsend Jeffrey K. Willemain In Memory of Helen Lester Beth Huffmaster McConnell In Memory of Betty McKinnon Morris Beth Huffmaster McConnell In Memory of Joyce A. Murphree Ray C. Fish Foundation In Memory of Asghar Nazemzadeh Utpal Bose Joseph M. Cahill Orapin Duangploy Jafar Farnam Zarifeh A. Johnson Jim and Fawn Kuth Khursheed Omer Robert and Lucille Pointer K and Steve Sucher Marvin J. Williams Teresa T. and Peter Wright Neda Zarrin-Khameh and Hamed Jafar-Nejad In Memory of Lorenzo Thomas Anonymous William H. Gilbert K and Steve Sucher Tammie Taylor, ‘94

What’s New? Send a Note!

Update your former UHD classmates on your life by submitting an item for the “Alumni Notes” in New Horizons. We’ll also post your item in the alumni section of UHD’s website.

You can e-mail directly from the website at www.uhd.edu/ alumni/notes.htm. Or, send an e-mail to Israel Salazar at salazarisr@uhd.edu. Or, mail your item to Israel at UHDowntown, One Main Street, Suite 990-S, Houston, Texas 77002.

In Memory of Mary Linda Wall Wood Beth Huffmaster McConnell MATCHING GIFTS Listed beneath the company names are the donors whose contributions made these matching gifts possible.

Boeing Mary Lou Kenney, ‘88 Fidelity Foundation David N. Weldon, ‘84 J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation Richard P. Smith, ‘96 Ralph S. O’Connor and Associates Elyse and Bob Lanier Hewlett-Packard Christopher P. Olson, ‘00 The Williams Companies Foundation, Inc. Thomas E. Potter, ‘92 GIFTS IN KIND Forrest F. Aven

ENDOWMENTS Jay Anderson Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund Mary B. Cook Distinguished Faculty Endowment Barbara G. Bartholomew Beatrice Christiana Birchak Utpal Bose Dr. Rosario Martinez-Castillo and Dr. Max Castillo Eric Chen, ‘03 Jane Creighton Michael Dressman Orapin Duangploy Antonia Francis, ‘04 Viola M. Garcia William H. Gilbert Dr. Anisul M. Islam

Alumnus Rick Sperandio (right) of ExxonMobil, chats with a potential recruit from UH-Downtown at the Fall Career Expo.

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LENDER GIVES UHD A BOOST

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tudents at UHD and UH who depend on scholarships have received a helping hand from a $200,000 contribution by the Texas Pioneer Foundation, on behalf of Smart Financial Credit Union, a Houston-based financial services provider. The gift to the Texas Pioneer Scholarship will be disbursed over a four-year period.

learning at UH and UHDowntown “in recognition of Smart Financial’s longstanding relationship with the Central Texas Student Loan Corporation (CTSLC) which established the Foundation,” said Fred Markham of the Texas Pioneer Foundation.

Smart Financial Credit Union, formerly First Educators Credit UHD’s LaTasha Goudeau, Texas Pioneer Foundation President Fred Markham, UHD Consultant Rob Sheridan, and Ed Apodaca, vice president of student services and enrollment management, met to finalize the Pioneer Foundation gift.

The non-profit Texas Pioneer Foundation has partnered with Smart Financial to support student

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Look for stories and photos of UHD’s 39th Commencement in the next issue of New Horizons.

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All graduates in good standing with the university are automatically members of the UHD Alumni Society. Some of the benefits include the resources of the W.I. Dykes Library and access to libraries in the UH System, benefits of the UHD Career Services, use of the Academic Computing Lab, and an invitation to join the Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center.

Destination UHD:

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seniors should already have their caps and gowns ready for the UH-Downtown 39th Commencement scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, December 18 at Minute Maid Park. Normally the home of the Houston Astros, on commencement day the park is transformed into a place of great honor and excitement. Exercises take place at the downtown landmark to accommodate the large number of family and friends who wish to attend the ceremonies.

The commencement speakers always acknowledge those in the audience who have supported the graduates in preparation for the significant milestone.

ing Houston-area educators, employees of more than 700 private companies, and residents of Harris and Montgomery Counties.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Director, LaTasha Goudeau, played a key role in establishing the relationship with the lender. Her history and association with Smart Financial Credit Union helped clear the path for the significant gift.

“In our eyes, Texas Pioneer Foundation is a leader in supporting higher education in Texas,” said Ed Apodaca, vice president of student services at UHDowntown. “Their generosity and vision of an educated Texas benefits the economic prosperity and future of our state.”

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Union, is a Houston-based, full-service financial services provider with more than $300 million in assets. Today it serves a diverse field of more than 82,000 members, includ-

AutumnOpen House The Office of Admissions hosted “Destination UHD,” UH-Downtown’s Autumn Open House for freshmen and transfer students.

Guests toured the UHD campus, met with faculty, previewed colleges and learned about financial aid. Eligible individuals were able to register on-site with the Office of Admissions. The open house boosts enrollment and eases the admissions rush at the beginning of the semester.

The Office of Admissions will host another open house in the spring.

Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson to speak February 23

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he J. Don Boney, Sr. Scholarship Luncheon has been set for Thursday, February 23 in the Special Events Center, Third Floor Academic Building. Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, the first African American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, will be the keynote speaker. He was first appointed to the court in 2001 and was promoted by Governor Rick Perry to Chief Justice in 2004.

Named for Dr. J. Don Boney, Sr., the first chancellor (president) of UH-Downtown, the luncheon is held during Black History Month to celebrate UHD’s diversity and the contributions of African Americans to American history.

Proceeds from the luncheon help fund scholarships awarded to UHD students for books associated with their courses. Students must be in good academic standing and present an essay about the accomplishments of an African American leader.

For ticket information, contact committee chair Dr. Sakile Camara, assistant professor in the Department of Arts and Humanities, at camaras@uhd.edu or 713-221-8106.

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he O’Kane Gallery will host Highlights from the Collection of Corrine Jennings and Joe Overstreet, January through March 2006. Jennings and Overstreet co-founded Kenkeleba Gallery in New York, to promote African-American art and artists. Patrons will experience examples from the Work Projects of America era, mid-century prints and works moving toward abstraction.

The exhibit represents a slice of African American art history and includes works of three 19th century masters: E.M. Bannister, Robert Scott Duncanson, and Henry O. Tanner.

In addition, early 20th century artists Wilmer Jennings ( Jennings’ father), Charles Alston, Beauford Delaney, Lois Mailou Jones, Hughie Lee-Smith, Eldzier Cortor, Dox Thrash, and Rose Piper will be featured.

Also among the collection are pieces from mid 20th century artists John Biggers, Robert Blackburn, Margaret Burroughs, Palmer Hayden, Hale Woodruff, and Norman Lewis. Biggers painted the mural, “Salt Marsh,” located on the third floor of the UHD Academic Building.

From the 20th century, contemporary works by Camille Billops, Linda Hiwot, Oliver Johnson, Charlotte Ka, Debra Priestly, Joe Overstreet and Howardena Pindell help make up the collection.

A rt is ts G eo rg e Ye pe s, C és ar M ar tí ne z H ou st on to an d A le x R ub ta ke pa rt in th e C hi ca no io tr av el ed th e W il lo w to V is io ns H ou S tr ee t Pu m st on op en in p S ta ti on . g at

O’Kane Theatre The O’Kane Theatre will feature the spring production, The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, March 31 thru April 8, 2006.

Oscar Wilde's brilliant play makes fun of the English upper classes with light-hearted satire and dazzling humor. In the play, Jack Worthing is in love with Gwendolyn Fairfax, but is scorned by her mother because of his place in society.

Gwendolyn is in love with “Ernest” whom we find out is actually Jack’s mischievious alter-ego.

Tickets go on sale Monday prior to opening night. Contact the O’Kane Theatre for more information: 713-221-8104.

, r fro m Ma ria chi ME CA ser en ad ed by the sin ge z ñe Ya né Re or rat Act or Ch ee ch Ma rin is Cu . up for urb an yo uth gro s art al tur cul n a do wn tow is at rig ht (ta n coa t).

Celebration of life and poetry

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ouston’s 20th annual Poetry Fest was held in early October at the Willow Street Pump Station. Over 250 poetry enthusiasts gathered for workshops and open readings.

“Houston Poetry Fest celebrates language and the unique voice of the individual,” said Dr. Jane Creighton, English professor and Interim Director of the Cultural Enrichment Center. “That the Fest at UHD began with a tribute to Lorenzo Thomas illustrates the point.

In expressing their love and respect for Lorenzo Thomas, students and faculty also gave expression to the remarkable power of their own voices. It was a terrific tribute to a remarkable poet and scholar.”

Guest poet Bernadette Mayer, author of numerous books of poetry and prose, was a natural choice for this year’s festival because of her work with Professor Thomas at the Poetry Project at St. Mark’s Church in New York City.

Thomas was a beloved English professor and director of the Cultural Enrichment Center at UH-Downtown. A memorial for him was held in November at the Rothko Chapel in Houston.

Houston Poetry Fest is co-sponsored by UH-Downtown’s Department of English and the Cultural Enrichment Center.

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Calendar of Events • Fall Commencement December 18 • Winter Holiday December 23-January 1 • Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 16 • Spring Classes Begin January 17 • Welcome Week Activities January 17-19 • President’s State of the University Address January 31 • Black History Month February • UHD Mardi Gras February 15 • J.Don Boney, Sr. Scholarship Luncheon February 23 • Women’s Month March • Spring Break March 13-18 • Student Research Conference March 31 • One Main Event March 31 • O’Kane Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest March 31-April 8 • Culture on the Bayou April 20 • Red Rose Ball April 28 • Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 4 • Spring Commencement May 7 • O’Kane Theatre, New York Trip May 14-21 • College of Humanities & Social Sciences, London Trip May 15-25

UHD Joins Baylor College of Medicine in Statewide Gerontology Program Continued from page 1

The role of these UHD departments is to offer several new courses related to aging, to establish a minor in gerontology and create a bridge program to some local high schools designed to sensitize students to gerontology issues and potential careers in the field.

“The initiatives will seek to promote a multidimensional understanding of the aging process, educating college students about demographic changes, issues associated with aging and implications of these factors for individuals, cultural institutions and public policy,” said Getz. “An additional goal is to motivate college students to seek career paths in areas related to geriatrics and gerontology.”

Uzman envisions plans to integrate issues on aging into the science curriculum – biology, genetics, physiology, anatomy courses – as well as providing research opportunities for undergraduates.

Joining Baylor COM and UHD in the statewide consortium are The University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas Woman’s University, UT-Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas A&M University, University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and UT Health Center-Tyler.

Debbie Flores of Team Graduate celebrates a point with teammate Brenda Garcia during College Bowl 2005.

Competition of Questions

S

tudents put their minds to work at UHD’s Intramural College Bowl Tournament in November. Book smarts, knowledge of pop culture and common sense helped students compete at the local tournament which will help determine who represents UHD in regional competition.

Playing in teams, students went head-to-head, testing their knowledge on anything from insects to Kevin Costner movies. The Jeopardy-like format helped build the momentum and tension as judges threw out questions and competitors rushed to answer. Only five students will be chosen from the intramural competition for regional competition this February. UHD has placed in the top four in past tournaments.

The chosen students will also participate in the “Smackdown at Downtown” where they take on a faculty and staff team in the spring.

Last year the crowd was standing room only, as the Faculty/Staff team won by one question for the first time in three years.

New Horizons

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